Child Development Theorists - Learning Zone Express

Summary

This script explores child development theories, emphasizing their significance for educators, parents, and policymakers. It traces the evolution of ideas from Locke's 'tabula rasa' to modern theorists like Freud's psychoanalytic theory, Montessori's educational approach, and Piaget's stages of cognitive development. The script also covers Erikson's identity stages, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and attachment theory, highlighting the impact of nurture versus nature. It concludes by noting the ongoing advancements in understanding child development, crucial for fostering healthier, happier children.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The study of child development encompasses physical, intellectual, social, and emotional changes from birth to adulthood.
• 👶 Child development theory provides practical guidance for educators, parents, and policymakers, aiming to nurture healthy children who become productive citizens.
• 📚 The concept of childhood as a distinct phase of life emerged in the 1600s with philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
• 👨‍🏫 Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory introduced the id, ego, and superego as key components of personality development.
• 🏫 Maria Montessori emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and sensitive periods in a child's education.
• 🌱 Arnold Gesell's research highlighted the role of genetics (nature) in child development, suggesting an orderly sequence of growth.
• 🤝 Lev Vygotsky believed that social interaction (nurture) was more influential in child development than genetics.
• 🔄 Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory outlined four stages: sensory-motor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.
• 🤔 Rudolph Dreikurs viewed misbehavior as a result of isolation and proposed natural consequences as a better approach than punishment.
• 🧗‍♂️ Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychological development focus on identity formation and the resolution of crises at each stage.

Q & A

What is the significance of studying child development?

Studying child development is significant because it provides practical guidance for teachers, parents, and child care providers. It also helps shape public policies that support the nurturing of healthy children, and it aids in self-understanding by revealing how our childhood experiences shape our adult selves.

When did the concept of 'childhood' as a distinct phase of life emerge?

The concept of 'childhood' as a distinct phase of life emerged in the 1600s, with English philosopher John Locke's writings on children being 'tabula rasa' or blank slates.

What were the conditions of children's lives during the time when most were put to work immediately?

During the time when most children were put to work immediately, they faced harsh conditions such as working in mines, factories, textile mills, and canneries, often for long hours with little regard for their well-being or education.

How does Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory describe the structure of the human psyche?

Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory describes the human psyche as being made up of three parts: the id, which seeks pleasure and avoids pain; the ego, which understands cause and effect and mediates between the id and reality; and the superego, which incorporates moral standards and societal rules.

What is the Montessori method, and how does it approach child education?

The Montessori method is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, emphasizing hands-on activities and self-directed learning. It believes in utilizing 'sensitive periods' in a child's development for optimal learning and encourages learning through observation and minimal intervention by teachers.

What is Arnold Gesell's perspective on the sequence of child development?

Arnold Gesell believed that child development occurs in an orderly sequence set by heredity or nature. He maintained that no development would take place until the child was ready for it, emphasizing the importance of observing and respecting a child's natural developmental pace.

How does Lev Vygotsky's theory of social cultural development differ from Gesell's views?

Lev Vygotsky's theory of social cultural development emphasizes the importance of nurture over nature. He proposed a five-step process where adults guide children through learning by providing tools, modeling, and support, ultimately helping children transfer knowledge to new situations.

What are the four stages of human development according to Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory?

Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory includes four stages: the sensory-motor stage, where children learn through physical experiences; the preoperational stage, where they begin to use language and mental images; the concrete operational stage, where they understand logic and conservation; and the formal operational stage, where abstract thinking and moral reasoning develop.

What is Rudolph Dreikurs' perspective on misbehavior in children, and how should it be addressed?

Rudolph Dreikurs believed that all misbehavior in children stems from feelings of isolation and a desire to fit in, manifesting in four ways: attention, power, revenge, and avoidance. He advocated against reward and punishment systems, instead suggesting that parents allow children to experience the natural consequences of their actions.

How does Erik Erikson's theory of psychological development differ from Freud's?

Erik Erikson's theory of psychological development introduces the concept of identity formation across eight stages, each with a specific social task that, if not successfully navigated, can lead to an identity crisis. This contrasts with Freud's focus on the subconscious mind and psychosexual stages.

What is Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and how does it relate to child development?

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a pyramid starting with physiological needs at the base and progressing to safety, love and belonging, esteem, and finally self-actualization at the peak. In child development, meeting these needs in sequence is crucial for a child's well-being and ability to reach their full potential.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 Introduction to Child Development

The script introduces the concept of child development, highlighting its importance in understanding the transition from newborns to independent adults. It emphasizes the practical applications of child development theories for educators, parents, and policymakers. The historical context is provided, mentioning John Locke's and Jean-Jacques Rousseau's views on children's innate nature and their capacity for learning. The evolution of societal views on childhood and the emergence of child development as a field of study are discussed, setting the stage for an exploration of various theorists and their contributions.

05:01

🧠 Theoretical Perspectives on Child Development

This section delves into the contributions of several key theorists in child development. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory is discussed, explaining the id, ego, and superego components of personality. Maria Montessori's approach to education, focusing on children's innate abilities and sensitive periods for learning, is outlined. Arnold Gesell's views on the sequence of child development influenced by genetics are mentioned. Lev Vygotsky's social cultural development theory, emphasizing the role of nurture and the importance of social interaction in learning, is also covered. Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory, with its four stages from sensory-motor to formal operational, is detailed, providing insights into how children's thinking evolves.

10:03

🌐 Further Theorists and Their Impact

The script continues with an exploration of Rudolph Dreikurs's work on misbehavior and his four methods of fitting in, as well as Eric Erikson's stages of psychological development and the concept of identity crises. Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, from physiological to self-actualization, is explained. John Bowlby's attachment theory, emphasizing the importance of bonding, is discussed. B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning and its application in behavior modification are outlined. Dr. Benjamin Spock's influence on parenting, advocating for individualized and affectionate parenting, is highlighted. Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, from pre-conventional to post-conventional levels, are explained.

15:04

🌟 Contemporary Theories and the Future of Child Development

The final section covers T. Berry Brazelton's Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) for evaluating newborns' physical and neurological responses. Dana Baumrind's classification of parenting styles—permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative—is discussed. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, challenging the one-dimensional view of intelligence, is presented. The script concludes by emphasizing the ongoing evolution of child development theories and the importance of understanding child development for building stronger families and communities.

Keywords

💡Child Development

Child development refers to the biological, psychological, and social changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of adolescence. In the video, this concept is central as it explores the various theories and stages through which children grow, learn, and mature into adults. The script discusses how understanding child development can provide practical guidance for educators, parents, and policymakers, as well as offer insights into our own personal histories.

💡Psychoanalytic Theory

Psychoanalytic theory, developed by Sigmund Freud, posits that human personality is composed of three parts: the id, ego, and superego. The id seeks pleasure and avoids pain, the ego understands cause and effect and manages the id's desires, and the superego incorporates societal norms and moral considerations. In the video, Freud's theory is mentioned as a foundational concept in understanding human behavior and the development of the mind.

💡Montessori Method

The Montessori Method is an educational approach developed by Maria Montessori, emphasizing hands-on learning and the idea that children have innate skills and talents. The method uses sensitive periods in a child's development to guide learning through activities that encourage exploration and independence. In the script, Montessori's philosophy is highlighted as an alternative to traditional educational practices, focusing on the child's natural curiosity and learning pace.

💡Nature vs. Nurture

The nature versus nurture debate is a longstanding discussion in psychology about whether certain aspects of behavior are a product of either inherited (genetic) or acquired (environmental) factors. Arnold Gesell, mentioned in the video, explored this concept, suggesting that children develop in an orderly sequence set by heredity or nature. This debate is central to understanding how children grow and learn, as it influences educational practices and parenting styles.

💡Cognitive Development Theory

Jean Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory outlines four stages of human development: sensory-motor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Each stage represents a different level of cognitive ability, from basic sensorimotor interactions with the environment to abstract reasoning. The video uses Piaget's theory to illustrate how children's thinking evolves as they grow, impacting their learning and problem-solving abilities.

💡Attachment Theory

Attachment theory, proposed by John Bowlby, focuses on the emotional bonds between humans. It describes the importance of early relationships, particularly between infants and their caregivers, in forming a secure base from which a child can explore the world. The video mentions Bowlby's theory to explain how the quality of these early attachments can affect a child's social and emotional development throughout life.

💡Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a learning process through which the likelihood of a behavior is increased or decreased by its consequences. B.F. Skinner, discussed in the video, used this concept to develop behavior modification techniques. The script refers to Skinner's work to demonstrate how reinforcement and punishment can shape behavior, which has implications for parenting and education.

💡Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory that prioritizes certain needs over others, starting with physiological needs and culminating in self-actualization. The video script uses this concept to explain how meeting basic needs like food and safety allows individuals to pursue higher-level needs, such as love, esteem, and personal growth, which are essential for holistic child development.

💡Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences challenges the traditional notion of intelligence as a single, measurable entity. Instead, he identifies various types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, and interpersonal, suggesting that individuals possess unique cognitive profiles. The video emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing these diverse intelligences in children to support their individual strengths and talents.

💡Parenting Styles

Parenting styles refer to the different approaches parents take in raising their children, which can influence the child's development. Dana Baumrind, mentioned in the script, categorized parents into permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative styles. The video discusses how these styles can shape children's behavior and self-esteem, emphasizing the value of an authoritative approach that balances guidance with respect for the child's individuality.

💡Moral Development

Moral development pertains to how individuals acquire values, understand rules, and make ethical decisions. Lawrence Kohlberg, cited in the video, researched moral reasoning and proposed a three-level model of moral development, from pre-conventional to post-conventional thinking. The script uses Kohlberg's work to illustrate how children's moral understanding evolves, which is crucial for their social integration and ethical behavior.

Highlights

The study of child development encompasses physical, intellectual, social, and emotional changes from birth to adulthood.

Child development theory provides practical guidance for educators, parents, and policymakers.

Childhood as a concept emerged in the 1600s with John Locke's theory of the 'tabula rasa'.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed children are innately good and learn differently from adults.

Historically, children were often put to work rather than afforded a childhood.

Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory introduced the concepts of id, ego, and superego.

Maria Montessori emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and sensitive periods in child development.

Arnold Gesell's research focused on the genetic sequence of child development.

Lev Vygotsky believed nurture was more influential than nature in child development.

Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory outlined four stages of human development.

Rudolph Dreikurs suggested addressing misbehavior through natural consequences rather than rewards or punishment.

Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychological development focus on identity formation.

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs prioritizes physiological needs over psychological ones.

John Bowlby's attachment theory highlights the importance of bonding in child development.

B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning theory influenced behavior modification therapy.

Benjamin Spock encouraged parents to trust their instincts and be flexible in child-rearing.

Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development range from pre-conventional to post-conventional thinking.

T. Berry Brazelton developed the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) for assessing newborns.

Dana Baumrind identified three parenting styles: permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative.

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences recognizes a range of cognitive abilities beyond traditional IQ.

Child development theories continue to evolve with advancements in technology and brain research.

Transcripts

when you think about it the changes that

happen to humans in the first

two decades of life are astonishing

we go from helpless newborns to

independent

hopefully competent adults the study of

that journey with its physical

intellectual social and emotional

changes is called child development

theory

in this program we'll present the big

ideas from 15

leading child development theorists

why study child development most

importantly because it gives practical

guidance for teachers

parents and child care providers it also

helps shape public policies

that support the nurturing of healthy

children to become productive citizens

plus it helps us get to know ourselves

better how the children we were

become the adults we are only in recent

centuries have children even become the

object of study

childhood in itself is a relatively

modern idea emerging in the 1600s when

an english philosopher named john locke

wrote that children were tabla rasa

blank slates whose experiences would

shape their adult behavior and

personalities

the french philosopher jean-jacques

russo who lived in the 1700s

claim that children are born innately

good and that they think

and learn differently from adults it was

a radical idea in a time when most

children were treated like many adults

put to work as soon as possible to help

support large families who struggle to

feed

and clothe themselves children as young

as four were sent up chimneys and down

into mines

spaces too small for most adults others

did farm work worked 12-hour days in

factories

textile mills and canneries or helped

out at home making goods like clothing

toys artificial flowers and matchboxes

unless your family was wealthy you

probably couldn't afford much of a

childhood

society and child development theory

have changed a lot since then

thank goodness let's look at some of the

leading theorists

and their ideas on how children grow

learn and become adults

let's begin with a name you're no doubt

familiar with sigmund

freud freud developed a method called

psychoanalytic theory

he believed every person was made up of

three parts the id

the ego and the superego the id seeks

pleasure

and tries to avoid things that bring

pain for a baby the id wants food

cuddling and attention and wants to

avoid hunger

wet diapers and loneliness

the ego is the part of the person that

starts to understand cause and effect

when the id wants something the ego

figures out how to get it

the ego also learns that some behavior

results in bad consequences

which the id would like to avoid

[Music]

think of the superego as a more mature

grown-up ego

the superego considers family rules or

society's laws and tries to balance them

with what the id wants

for example a child sees another child

with candy

and the id wants some the ego wonders

can i just grab the candy

but the superego knowing right from

wrong says it would be wrong to take the

candy

freud's ideas became known as

psychoanalytic theory

in his therapy sessions he would

encourage his patients to relive their

repressed fantasies and fears

psychotherapy helps free patients from

their subconscious issues

most psychologists and theorists since

have based their own research on freud's

[Music]

maria montessori was the first woman in

italy to become a doctor

her specialty was pediatrics and she was

especially interested in children who

were labeled ineducable

dr montessori based her teaching

philosophy on the idea that every child

has innate skills

and talents she believed that by guiding

children with love

they would learn almost on their own the

montessori method teaches children

through hands-on activities

with encouragement from adults

a teacher's main role was to observe and

take advantage of what dr montessori

called sensitive periods when the

child's mind was particularly receptive

to learning

trying to force learning outside of

these sensitive periods was according to

dr montessori

difficult and frustrating for both child

and teacher

in her view looking naturally becomes

reading

and touching naturally becomes writing

the montessori method

is still used today all around the world

arnold gasel was an american born and

raised in wisconsin

his work explored the question of nature

versus nurture in child development

nature being your genetic makeup and

nurture being the environment in which

you grow

gaselle maintained that children develop

in an orderly sequence

set by heredity or nature he believed

that no development would take place

until the child was ready for it what

gazelle is perhaps best remembered for

are his observational techniques during

his research he used one-way mirrors and

designed a special domed research

enclosure

to allow researchers to observe from all

angles without being seen

vygotsky was a russian psychologist and

though he lived at the same time as

gasel his research led him to a

different conclusion

vygotsky firmly believed that nurture

was more influential than nature

on how children develop

butgotsky developed a five-step process

of social cultural development

step one adults provide tools modeling

guidance interaction and encouragement

step two a child performs tasks under

adult supervision

step three adults help the child divide

tasks into smaller segments

and assess the child's understanding

step four adults provide support or

scaffolding

that is necessary in a learning

situation

step five adult's guided child into a

new situation

through transferring familiar knowledge

to a new or

unfamiliar task or situation very good

for mice are you gonna read a story to

me

jean piaget a swiss psychologist was one

of the first to take freud's work in a

new direction

piaget believed there are four stages of

human development

which he called the cognitive

development theory

the first stage he called sensory motor

sensory meaning that the five senses are

being used to understand the world

motor refers to using your muscles in

the sensory motor stage the child only

knows what she experiences physically

piaget's second stage is preoperational

where children start to learn by using

language and mental images

they are still egocentric but they start

to broaden their understanding of the

world and know there is more to the

world than what they can see or touch

[Music]

next comes a concrete operational stage

where children really start to

understand others points of view

they start to understand logic and they

learn something called conservation

when you understand conservation you

understand when i take

three balls of clay and mush them

together

i still have the same amount of clay the

mass of clay has been conserved

the final stage in piaget's theory is

formal operational

where children really start using

abstract thinking they know the

difference between right and wrong

and recognize that there are many ways

of looking at things

they see shades of gray instead of

always viewing things as black or white

rudolph dreikers was an american

psychiatrist who believed that all

misbehavior was a result of feeling

isolated causing a child to attempt to

fit in

through one of four ways with attention

a child will act out to get noticed

even if it results in a negative

response from the parent or teacher

with power a child tries to take

leadership role and tell others what to

do

revenge is when a child retaliates

against the people who are not giving

her the positive response she craves

and avoidance is the worst of all this

is when the child simply withdraws

altogether

not showing any response to anything

going on around her

strikers did not believe in a reward and

punishment system for dealing with

misbehaving children

instead he suggested that parents allow

the child to go through the natural

consequences of their misbehavior

eric erickson was a danish psychologist

who studied the works of freud

and montessori and focused on the idea

of identity

erickson developed a timeline of

psychological development

with eight stages he said that if a

person had difficulty with any of the

stages

they would have a problem which he

called an identity crisis

later in life ericsson identified

specific social tasks that need to

emerge

in eight stages for healthy development

the first is trust versus mistrust

shaped by a caregiver's responsiveness

to the baby

when the caregiver responds to the

baby's needs the baby learns to trust

that when he is hungry

he will be fed and when he is cold he

will be warmed

and when he raises his arms towards an

adult he will be picked up

and cuddled

autonomy versus doubt comes when a child

learns that he has power of his own

he learns to walk and talk and maybe to

go to the bathroom by himself

he realizes he's his own person not

attached to his parents

erickson's third stage is initiative

versus guilt

this is when a child learns to do things

independently as the child succeeds at

different tasks

he will start to take initiative to try

more new things

if he does not experience success he

will start to feel there is something

wrong with him

and feel guilty for not being successful

industry versus inferiority this is

where a child starts to recognize that

his own actions affect how people treat

him so an industrious child will act in

such a way that gets good responses from

others

but children whose behavior does not get

good feedback from the important people

in their lives

start to feel inferior to others

identity versus role confusion gets

sorted out during adolescence

when a child takes all the things that

had happened to her in early childhood

and hopefully develops a strong sense of

identity if the teenager can't do that

there can be role confusion

where attempts may be made to either fit

in or to completely separate from others

if you're counting you'll notice that

we've only covered five of the eight

stages

the final three are dealt with in

adulthood so we'll skip those

abraham maslow was the first of seven

children born in new york to russian

immigrants

he developed his hierarchy of needs

after studying the behavior of monkeys

[Music]

he noticed that for example if a monkey

was both hungry and thirsty

it would drink first some needs always

take precedence over others

the most basic needs which have to be

met before anything else can happen

are the physiological needs if we're

starving we only care about food

once our basic physical needs are met

the next need in the pyramid

is safety and security if a person feels

secure

the next need that can be addressed is

the need for love and belonging

the fourth need in the hierarchy is

esteem maslow included two types of

esteem

what others think of you and what you

think of yourself

the peak of maslow's hierarchy is

self-actualization

or the full realization of an

individual's potential

john bolby was a british psychiatrist

and psychoanalyst

who thought that bonding was an

essential part of child development

his attachment theory is based on the

feelings a child has for her mother

bolby outlined four characteristics of

attachment

proximity maintenance is the desire to

be near the people we are attached to

safe haven is returning to the

attachment figure for comfort and safety

in the face of a fear or threat

[Music]

secure base describes the way the

attachment figure acts

as a base of security from which the

child can explore the surrounding

environment

[Music]

separation distress is the anxiety that

occurs when the attachment figure

usually the parent is absent

many people believe b.f skinner is the

most important psychologist since freud

he developed a theory called operant

conditioning which he used in behavior

modification therapy

using the skinner box he invented

skinner did research with rats or

pigeons

if the animal performed the correct

action pressing the bar or pecking a

certain

spot it would be rewarded with food

skinner used different types of

responses in his research

the first is positive reinforcement this

simply means when the desired behavior

occurred

something good happened negative

reinforcement is when a negative thing

is avoided by the desired behavior

sometimes skinner would set up the

experiment so nothing at all happened

regardless of the behavior of the

subject if a rat presses a bar and

nothing at all ever happens

eventually the rat will simply ignore

the bar here's the most interesting

finding of skinner's research

it turns out that always rewarding the

desired behavior was

not the best way to ensure that behavior

continued the very best way to ensure

that behavior stays constant is to

intermix

reinforcement with extinction apparently

the hope for a reward was the most

powerful motivator

dr benjamin spock was a trusted

pediatrician and best-selling author

his book the common sense book of baby

and child care

has been translated into 39 languages

and is the second

best-selling book of all time after the

bible the biggest thing that spock did

to rock the parenting world

was to say to parents you are the true

expert on your own children

never before had anyone made such a

claim he said that cuddling babies and

showing affection to children

would not spoil them but would make them

happier and more secure

and instead of adopting a

one-size-fits-all rule

in terms of everything from discipline

to toilet training

he suggested that parents be more

flexible and view their children as

individuals

perhaps what is most revolutionary is he

even suggested that parenting could be

fun

lawrence kohlberg was an american

psychologist who pioneered work in moral

development

heavily influenced by studying the

holocaust he studied psychology and

taught at harvard

kolberg was famous for researching how

people solve moral dilemmas

the pre-conventional level is where

children make decisions based on how it

will affect them personally

kind of a what's in it for me attitude

it's egocentric and the child doesn't

spend time thinking about

how his decision will affect anyone else

the conventional level is found in

adolescents and some adults

decisions are made by comparing the

options with what society says

is right or wrong at this level you can

understand

extenuating circumstances and debate

whether or not the rule should always

apply

kohlberg's highest level is the

post-conventional level

at this level everything is taken into

consideration

t barry brazleton is a pediatrician from

texas

who has also written many child

development books for parents

in 1973 he developed the neonatal

behavioral assessment scale

our nbas which is now used in hospitals

and clinics

everywhere neonatal means newborn

browselton's assessment skill is used in

the first two months of a baby's life

it looks at 46 different physical

developments and neurological responses

basically checking how well the body and

brain are working

brazleton's in bas is especially

important for at-risk infants and their

parents

the results help parents and caregivers

know how best to take care of the infant

dana baumrein is a clinical and

developmental psychologist from new york

known for her research on parenting

styles she categorized parents into

three groups

the permissive parent is one who lets

children have an equal say

in all decisions the parent doesn't

punish the child and accepts whatever

behavior the child chooses

the authoritarian parent is pretty much

the opposite of the permissive parent

the child has to follow every rule and

gets no say at all in how the household

is run

the authoritative parent is the happy

middle these parents talk with their

children

and listen to their opinions they'll

remain the final authority

howard gardner was influenced by eric

erickson another psychologist

working to further the work of piaget

gardner made a name for himself when he

released his research findings on

multiple

intelligences his theory challenged the

commonly held belief that intelligence

is one-dimensional

and either had it or you didn't gardner

identified

seven different types of intelligence

and believed that everyone had varying

degrees of each of them

giving everyone a unique cognitive

profile

his seven types of intelligence are

linguistic

or word smart

[Music]

mathematical or number reasoning smart

spatial or picture smart

bodily kinesthetic or body smart

musical or music smart

interpersonal or people smart

intra-personal or self-smart

gardner later added additional types of

intelligence to his list

naturalist spiritual existential and

moral

his message to parents is to help

children develop their own gifts and

type of intelligence

[Music]

theories of child development continue

to evolve

researchers and psychologists are always

trying to find ways to understand how

the human mind develops

they've studied each other's research

and built on each other's findings

as technology advances we learn more

about the brain

and how it affects behavior not only is

child development theory fascinating but

its purpose

affects us all knowing how to raise

healthier happy children

can help us build stronger families and

better communities